OWNERS of the Malpass Hotel, Phil Campling and Sandra Morton are chuffed to have scored a beer garden upgrade through Bundaberg Rum’s Raise the Bar campaign.

The initiative was designed to give pub owners a much needed morale boost after the impacts of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, with Bundaberg Rum providing $11.5 million in upgrades to venues across the country.

The Malpass was one of the Australian pubs selected for a beer garden makeover, valued at $10,000.

Owner Phil Campling says that it’s exciting news during what has been a difficult time.

“I have never been as stressed running this business as I have with COVID. It’s taken a great toll on myself and my wife, much more than in any other time during fourteen years of running this hotel,” he says.

He says that the upgrades will be a great addition to their newly renovated beer garden, that will soon feature new bar tables and stools, a barbecue and fairy lights to be brought out for special functions.

In the future, he plans to install a huge gazebo to cover the area, making the new additions permanent and adding a water misting system to cool down guests.

“I’m very pleased about it. We’ve got one of the best beer gardens in the Burdekin. It spurs us on to take that next step, and we will,” he says.

Phil and Sandra are hosting a party on Sunday the seventh of March, bringing out the new additions and celebrating with the community.

“What we’re doing is a special day to introduce it, we’re putting on live music, a sausage sizzle all afternoon and a raffle. It’s really just tops,” says Phil.

“In a very small town like Home Hill we’re very big on community.”

Guests are invited to share the festivities including raffle prizes, drinks and live music from local favourite Megan Law.

CONNECT NOW: Join in the celebrations at the Malpass Hotel in Home Hill from 3pm Sunday 7th March.